Aguia Resources Boosts Gold Plant Capacity to 50 TPD, Targets Q1 2026 Phosphate Sales
Aguia Resources is ramping up production at its high-grade Santa Barbara gold project in Colombia while advancing a low-capital phosphate operation in Brazil, setting the stage for robust cash flow generation.
- Santa Barbara gold plant expanded to 50 tonnes per day with production underway
- Resource definition drilling initiated on 7 km of high-grade gold veins
- Tres Estradas phosphate project adopts low-capex leasing model, targeting Q1 2026 sales
- Regulatory clearance achieved for phosphate permitting in Brazil
- Copper-gold exploration progressing at El Dovio with promising historical intercepts
High-Grade Gold Production Gains Momentum in Colombia
Aguia Resources Limited (ASX – AGR) is making significant strides at its Santa Barbara gold project in Colombia, where production has commenced and capacity is expanding. Following a successful recommissioning of the trial mining plant in late 2024, the operation has increased throughput from an initial 30 tonnes per day to 50 tonnes per day. Early gold production began in January 2025, with ongoing process optimizations including the installation of a thickener, expanded agitator tanks, and upgraded smelting facilities.
The company is now actively drilling to define resources across an extensive 7-kilometre vein system, focusing on narrow, high-grade veins that have historically yielded exceptional gold grades exceeding 30 grams per tonne. This brownfields exploration approach aims to maximize profitability by targeting rich ore zones rather than pursuing bulk tonnage.
Phosphate Project in Brazil Advances with Revised Business Model
Meanwhile, Aguia’s Tres Estradas phosphate project in Brazil is progressing towards first sales expected in the first quarter of 2026. The project benefits from a strategic shift to a low-capital expenditure model, leveraging a leasing contract with a local processor that reduces upfront capex from A$30 million to approximately A$5 million. This approach shortens the development timeline and enhances project economics, with gross profit margins projected above 100% and a payback period under six months.
The phosphate operation is well positioned to serve local agricultural markets within a 300-kilometre radius, offering a chemical-free, organic product derived from saprolite ore mined by free-dig methods. Regulatory hurdles have been cleared following a favorable court ruling in October 2024, removing previous injunctions and paving the way for securing an operating license by Q3 2025.
Exploration Upside and Copper-Gold Potential
Beyond gold and phosphate, Aguia is advancing exploration at the El Dovio copper-gold project in Colombia. This shear-hosted system features multiple targets with historical drill intercepts demonstrating significant grades of gold, silver, copper, and zinc. The company is focusing on resource estimation drilling at the Sabana Blanca zone, with potential upside from feeder zones and sub-vertical systems that could materially increase resource size.
Collectively, these projects underscore Aguia’s diversified South American asset base, combining near-term production with exploration upside and a pipeline of development opportunities. The management team’s extensive regional experience and recent operational milestones position the company well to deliver on its growth ambitions.
Bottom Line?
With production ramping up and costs trimmed, Aguia Resources is poised for a pivotal growth phase across its South American portfolio.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing drilling results at Santa Barbara impact resource estimates and mine life?
- What are the risks and timelines associated with securing full operating permits for the phosphate project?
- Can the copper-gold targets at El Dovio translate into a commercially viable resource in the near term?
